The ultimate weeknight win, this Slow Cooker Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli recipe results in tender stew meat simmered to perfection with fresh broccoli and a maple-kissed sauce the whole family will love. This comforting dinner is naturally sweetened, better than takeout, and prepped in just minutes, so you can set it and forget it.
"I loved how easy this was! Served it with cauliflower rice and it was so good." - Donny
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 5 minutes prep and 6 hours cooking
- 👪Serves: 5
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 457 kcals and 45 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Maple syrup, soy sauce, stew beef, broccoli, and arrowroot powder.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and can be made paleo.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Easy to make while curbing your sweet tooth in a healthy way.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated, this slow cooker beef and broccoli with stew meat proves it. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of recipe that takes just minutes to prep and turns out rich, savory, and tender every time, just like slow cooker teriyaki chicken. With hints of maple and garlic, it delivers comfort food vibes with a better-for-you twist.
I love this one because it saves my sanity on hectic weekdays and is packed with protein. Learn more about the benefits of a high-protein diet. And just like my Korean ground beef and broccoli, it tastes almost better than takeout.
Jump To
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- 💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Flavor Variations
- How To Make Crockpot Beef And Broccoli
- Important Teaching Tips
- How To Serve It
- Slow Cooker Gluten-Free Beef And Broccoli FAQs
- More Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Recipes
- Beef And Broccoli Crock Pot Recipe (gluten-free)
💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: You only need 8 gluten-free pantry staples for this crockpot recipe to come together.
Allergy-friendly: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo-approved, the slow cooker dinner is great for anyone with dietary restrictions.
Versatile: The recipe is already packed with juicy, comforting flavor, but it's also easy to adapt with a few simple tweaks.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Beef: Any cut of meat can work for the beef and broccoli crockpot recipe. However, I find stew meat comes out the most tender. It's what I use for slow cooker steak bites too. Just make sure to cut the beef into chunks and trim off any fat.
Soy sauce: The kind of soy sauce you choose will depend on your dietary restrictions. You need a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. If you need the beef and broccoli to be paleo-approved, make sure to use coconut aminos! Great for something like a 15-minute chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet, too.
Broth: Both beef broth and chicken broth will work for the slow cooker beef recipe. I personally use bone broth powder because it’s the fastest and a total mom hack. Learn what powdered bone broth is and why you need it.
Arrowroot powder: You’ll add this in the last thirty minutes to thicken the sauce. Cornstarch can work just as well here but isn't paleo-friendly.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Below are a few fun and easy ways to vary the recipe to suit your flavor preferences that day.
- Spice: If you're not serving this to kids, add a kick of heat with chopped jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Vegetables: We've done cauliflower florets or sliced bell peppers as a switch-up.
- Seasonings: Adding some fresh ginger to the mix is a great way to bring out more flavor.
How To Make Crockpot Beef And Broccoli
Step 1: In the slow cooker, whisk together the soya sauce, garlic, maple syrup, and sesame oil.
Step 2: Chop the beef into chunks and add it to the crockpot, mix until coated. Cook on low for 6 hours.
Step 3: Thirty minutes before you’re ready to eat, take ¼ cup of sauce out of the slow cooker and whisk in the arrowroot powder until no clumps remain. Pour it back into the crockpot.
Step 4: Toss in the broccoli and cook on low for thirty more minutes.
Important Teaching Tips
If you like a thicker sauce, add the arrowroot an hour before you’re ready to eat. If you don’t mind a thinner sauce, thirty minutes is plenty.
Make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce as needed. Tamari also works. You'll need coconut aminos for it to be paleo-approved.
Make sure the broccoli is in bite-size but larger chunks. Otherwise, they’ll get too soft.
Because the meat cooks so slowly in its juicy, any cut of beef will work. However, chuck steak or stew meat gives the most tender texture and absorbs the best.
Both chicken broth and beef broth will work as the base for this beef and broccoli recipe. I use bone broth powder more often than not because it's simply easier.
How to store leftovers: Leftovers can be stored once cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat the mixture in the microwave in intervals until warmed through.
This gluten-free beef and broccoli recipe is not freezer-friendly as the broccoli becomes mushy upon thawing. If you want to freeze it, stop cooking the beef before you put the broccoli in and freeze it with the sauce (no broccoli).
How To Serve It
You can make this beef and broccoli recipe fit into any diet preference!
Most typically served over steamed rice with some kimchi on top, beef and broccoli also works:
- On top of spaghetti squash or herbed cauliflower rice for a paleo option
- On noodles to stretch it further for a family meal
- As is with kimchi for a low-carb, high-protein dish (just like these keto deviled eggs)
- Topped with green onions and sesame seeds
Slow Cooker Gluten-Free Beef And Broccoli FAQs
You can cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Because it cooks for so long, you can put raw beef into the slow cooker. Make sure that there is adequate liquid in which to cook the beef. Some recipes do call for browning the beef, which can lock in its bold flavor, but it’s not necessary.
Depending on the cut, thickness, and liquid in the slow cooker, beef can cook for 4-8 hours on low.
If you’re finding your beef is tough after being in the slow cooker, it means that it hasn’t cooked long enough. Make sure there is enough liquid in the crockpot to cook the beef and that the pieces of the beef aren’t too large. If it’s tough after 4-6 hours, just extend the cooking time.
Frozen broccoli should work just fine in the slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe. However, know that it will add a bit of extra liquid to the sauce as it melts from being frozen.
Almost any cut of beef will work for the slow cooker. However, chuck steak and stewing beef have worked the best. If you don't buy it pre-cut, cut it up into cubes so that it cooks better and results in a tender bite.
More Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Recipes
Need more dairy and gluten-free dinner inspiration? Check out the Busy Mom's Cookbook, which has 20+ high-protein recipes ready in 30 minutes or less.
If you tried this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Beef And Broccoli Crock Pot Recipe (gluten-free)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅛ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup broth
- 1.5 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ tbs garlic powder
- 4 cups cubed beef
- 8 cups chopped broccoli
- 1.5 tbs arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Chop the beef into chunks and the broccoli into bites.
- In the crock pot, whisk together the soya sauce, garlic, maple syrup, and sesame oil.
- Add in the beef and mix until coated.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Thirty minutes before you’re ready to eat, take ¼ cup of sauce out of the slow cooker and whisk in the arrowroot powder until no clump remains. Pour it back into the crockpot.
- Toss in the broccoli and cook on low for thirty more minutes.
- Serve on rice (optional) topped with sesame seeds if you have them.
Notes
- If you like a thicker sauce, add the arrowroot an hour before you’re ready to eat. If you don’t mind a thinner sauce, thirty minutes is plenty.
- Make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce as needed. Tamari also works. You'll need coconut aminos for it to be paleo-approved.
- Make sure the broccoli is in bite-size but larger chunks. Otherwise, they’ll get too soft.
- Because the meat cooks so slowly in its juicy, any cut of beef will work. However, chuck steak or stew meat gives the most tender texture and absorbs the best.
- Both chicken broth and beef broth will work as the base for this beef and broccoli recipe. I use bone broth powder more often than not because it's simply easier.
- How to store leftovers: Leftovers can be stored once cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat the mixture in the microwave in intervals until warmed through.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
nancy says
i love broccoli and beef and being able to make this in a crock pot is a life saver!!
fitasamamabear says
Crock pots save sanity lol
jennifer says
Okay, I actually have broccoli in my fridge . . . I love it but never buy it because it doesn't love me back (TMI haha, not gassy but like it never digests in my stomach . . . and just sits in there all day and night ) anyway. Imma try it in this recipe and see what happens -- it looks delish and easy-peasy!
fitasamamabear says
Honestly broccoli is like that haha but if it helps green beans work for this too!
Donny says
I loved how easy this was! Served it with cauliflower rice and it was so good.
fitasamamabear says
I need to up my cauli rice game! It's so easy.
tianna says
this is a great slow cooker meal and so nice to just have rice to make at the end of the day
fitasamamabear says
Right?! I prep the rice and just reheat, it's bliss lol
Mocktail.net says
Beef and broccoli is my favorite - and so quick to make. thanks for sharing Shelby!
fitasamamabear says
We love the combo too, thank you!
Camilla says
Yum! A hearty dish full of flavour! I love slow cooked meals, and this is a great recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Happy you enjoyed it!
Sharon says
My slow cooker is such a staple at home, and this recipe is the perfect addition to my current favs! Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
My slow cooker is a staple too! So glad you have another one in the repertoire!
Sandi says
I love this can be made in the slow cooker. What a bonus for those busy school nights!
fitasamamabear says
Exactly!
Sonia says
This is so easy to make, it is perfect for busy days. I made it and served it over steamed rice, and the whole family loved it.
fitasamamabear says
Happy it was family-approved!
Lisa says
The beef came out so tender and flavorful from the crock pot! Loved the ease of slow cooking versus stove top.
fitasamamabear says
Honestly slow cooking saves my sanity haha glad you loved it!